Closure dovetail arrangement

ABSTRACT

A dovetail arrangement for a closure panel movable in a generally vertical path between open and closed positions with respect to a vehicle body opening, the dovetail arrangement including, on the vehicle body, a retainer and a vertically sliding wedge member and further including, on the closure panel, an elongated striker having a shank with an enlarged tapered head on one end thereof. In the closed position of the closure panel the retainer engages the striker under the enlarged head and the wedge member engages the striker on the taper of the enlarged head thereby cooperating with the retainer to capture the striker and prevent substantially all bodily shiftable relative movement between the closure panel and the vehicle body longitudinally of the closure panel.

United States Patent Wanlass et al.

[ 1 July4',1972

[54] CLOSURE DOVETAIL ARRANGEMENT [72] Inventors: Bert R. Waulass; Alfonsas Velavicius, both of Warren, Mich.

[73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation, Detroit,

Mich.

[22] Filed: Sept. 16, 1970 211 Appl. No.: 72,135

292/34l.12, 296/50, 296/76 [51] Int. Cl. ..E05c 3/26 [58] Field of Search ..292/216, 341.13, 341.12, 340,

292/DIG. 5, DIG. 43, DIG. 39, DIG. 40, DIG. 41, DIG. 46; 296/50, 76; 49/40, 374

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,081,117 3/1963 McDaniel ..292/216 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 878,952 10/1961 Great Britain ..292/DIG. 40

Primary Examiner- -Richard E. Moore Attorney-W. E. Finken and D. L. Ellis [57] ABSTRACT A dovetail arrangement for a closure panel movable in a generally vertical path between open and closed positions with respect to a vehicle body opening, the dovetail arrangement including, on the vehicle body, a retainer and a vertically sliding wedge member and further including, on the closure panel, an elongated striker having a shank with an enlarged tapered head on one end thereof. In the closed position of the closure panel the retainer engages the striker under the enlarged head and the wedge member engages the striker on the taper of the enlarged head thereby cooperating with the retainer to capture the striker and prevent substantially all bodily shiftable relative movement between the closure panel and the vehicle body longitudinally of the closure panel.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures CLOSURE DOVETAIL ARRANGEMENT This invention relates generally to vehicle closures and in particular to a dovetail arrangement for preventing vibratory movement or looseness of the closure panel when the latter is in the closed position.

The primary feature of this invention is that it provides an improved dovetail arrangement for a closure panel movable on a vehicle body between open and closed positions relative to an opening in the latter, the dovetail arrangement being operative in directions longitudinally of the closure panel to eliminate undesirable vibration and looseness of the latter. Another feature of this invention is that it provides a dovetail arrangement particularly adapted for use with a closure panel supported on a vehicle body for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement but subject to some looseness in directions longitudinally of the closure panel, the dovetail arrangement including a vertically moving wedge member operable in a closed position of the closure panel to exert a rigidifying restraint on the latter in a direction longitudinally thereof. Yet another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a striker rigidly mounted on the closure panel, the striker presenting a surface tapered in a direction longitudinally of the closure panel and engageable on the wedge member in the closed position of the closure panel, the rigidifying restraint being'applied by the wedge member on the tapered surface of the striker. A still further feature of this invention resides in the provision on the wedge member of an oblique surface complementary to the tapered surface on the striker, the striker being engageable on the oblique surface and guided thereby into a wedged or captured position between a fixed retainer and the wedge member in the closed position of the closure.

These and other features of this invention will be readily apparent from the following specification and from the drawings wherein: I

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the rear portion of a station wagon type vehicle body including a dovetail arrangement according to this invention between the vehicle body and a closure panel movable thereon between closed and open positions shown respectively in broken and solid lines;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partially broken away view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 2-2 in FIG. 1 and corresponding to the open position of the closure panel;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but corresponding to the closed position of the closure panel;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 4-4 in FIG. 2; I

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 6-6 in FIG. 3; c

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary partially broken away view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 7-7 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partially broken away view of a portion of FIG. 1 and showing the striker.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a station wagon type vehicle body generally designated 10 includes a roof structure 12, respective left and right quarter panel structures 14 and I6 defining jamb panel portions 13 and 15 extending longitudinally of the vehicle body, and a pair of body pillars 18 supporting the roof structure 12 and sealingly retaining a pair of side window panels 20. A rear bumper structure 22 extends across the lower portion of the vehicle body between the quarter panel structures and cooperates with jambs 13 and 15,

the body pillars l8 and the roof structure 12 in defining a generally rectangular rear opening 28 through which access may be had to a cargo compartment 30 having a conventional load floor 31.

The upper portion of rear opening 28 generally above the vehicle belt line is normally closed by a retractable window panel, not shown, movable between a lowered position closing the upper portion of the opening and a raised posiu'on retracted out of the opening and into the roof structure 12.

For a more detailed description of the window installation, reference may be made to the co-pending application of Charles A. Stebbins, numbered A-l4,049 assigned to the assignee of this invention.

The remainder or lower portion of the rear opening 28 is normally closed by a closure panel or tailgate 32 having an upper or belt surface 34 and including a generally vertical right side panel 36, FIG. 8. The tailgate 32 is mounted on the vehicle body 10 for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement between a raised or closed position, shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, wherein the lower edge of the closed window panel abuts seals, not shown, on the belt surface 34, through a partially open position, shown in solid lines in FIG. I, to a lowered or fully open position, not shown, wherein belt surface 34 lies in generally coplanar relationship with the load floor 31 and the upper margin of the bumper structure 22. For a more detailed description of the tailgate mounting arrangement, reference maybe made to the-co-pending application of Bert R. Wanlass, numbered A-13,l and assigned to the assignee of this invention. A closure latch arrangement generally designated 38 is provided between the closure 32 and the vehicle body 10 to maintain the former in the raised or closed position and a dovetail arrangement according to this invention is provided to prevent relative movement between the tailgate and the vehicle body longitudinally of the former and transversely of the latter.

As seen best in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, the closure latch arrangement 38 includes a rectangular base plate 40 having a slot 42 therein. A generally rectangular cover 44 including a downwardlyopening generally vertical slot or mouth 45 overlies bae plate 40 and both are rigidly secured to the jamb 15 of quarter panel structure, 16, as by screws 46, generally in alignment with an aperture 48 in the jamb 15.

As seen best in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, a rivet 52 is rigidly secured to cover 44 and rotatably supports interiorly of the cover a bifurcated latch bolt 54 including a throat portion 56 and detent shoulders 58 and 60. The latch bolt 54 is rotatable on the rivet 52 between an unlatched position, FIG. 2, a safety or semi-latched position, not shown, and a fully latched position, FIG. 3. A torsion spring 62 is coiled about rivet 52 and bears at one end against cover 44 and at the other end against latch bolt 54 to bias the latter clockwise, FIGS. 2 and 3, toward the unlatched position.

A second rivet 64 is rigidly secured to cover 44 and rotatably supports interiorly of the cover a detent lever 66 including a detent 68, FIG. 7, a bearing pad 70 and an actuating arm 72 projecting through slot 42 in base plate 40 and beyond a rubber sealing boot 73 into the interior of right quarter panel structure 16. The detent lever is rotatable on the rivet 64 between a detenting position, FIGS. 5 and 7, wherein the detent 68 underlies either one of detent shoulders 58 and 60 on the latch bolt and a releasing position, FIG. 4, wherein the detent is remote from the latch bolt. A guide pin 74 is slidably received within a clearance aperture 76 in bearing pad 70 and is rigidly secured at respective ends to cover 44 and base plate 40. A compression spring 78 is coiled about guide pin 74 and bears at one end against base plate 40 and at the other end against one side of bearing pad 70 to thereby bias the detent lever 66 counterclockwise, FIGS. 4 and 5, toward the detenting position.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 8, the dovetail arrangement includes a striker assembly attached to right side panel 36 of the tailgate 32 slightly below belt surface 34 thereof. The striker assembly includes an elongated striker 82 having an enlarged conical or tapered head 84 defining an annular bearing surface 86 around a threaded shank 88, the latter having flats 90 thereon, FIG. 8. As best seen in FIG. 8, the striker 82 projects through a clearance aperture 91 in right side panel 36 of the tailgate and threadedly receives on opposite sides of the side panel a plate member 92 and a washernut 94. Tightening of washer-nut 94 and plate member 92 against opposite sides of side panel 36 locks the striker 82 against rotation relative to the tailgate. Further, rotation of striker 82 relative to plate member 92 and washer-nut 94 effects relative bodily shiftable movement between the striker and the tailgate in directions longitudinally of the latter.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, the dovetail arrangement further includes a combination striker retainer and wedge support 96 having vertical sides 98 and upper and lower end walls 100 and 102. The retainer and support 96 is rigidly fastened to the base plate 40 by conventional means such as peened over projection 104, FIG. 6. As seen best in FIG. 6, each vertical side 98 includes an intumed flange 106 which flanges define a vertical channel or slot spaced from, in alignment with and of width generally equal to the width of slot 45 in cover 44. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a guide pin 108 is rigidly supported in vertical orientation within the retainer and support 96 between the upper and lower end walls. The guide pin 108 slidably supports a wedge member or dovetail 110 having an oblique surface 111 thereon for generally vertical movement between retracted and extended positions, shown respectively in FIGS. 4 and 5. A compression spring 112 is coiled about guide pin 108 and seats at one end against upper end wall 100 of the retainer and support 96 and at the other end against wedge block or dovetail 110 within a counterbored portion thereof to thereby bias the latter toward the retracted position, FIG. 4.

Prior to initial installation of the tailgate on the vehicle body, the plate member 92 with striker 82 thereon is secured to the side panel 36 by a bolt 114, FIG. 8. External fixture means are then employed to initially support the tailgate 32 within the opening 28 in a position corresponding to the raised position of the latter and with the striker 82 protruding through slot 45 in cover 44. Behind cover 44, the wedge member 110 and retainer and support 96 cooperate with the striker, in a manner more fully described hereinafter, to define a fixed transverse position of the tailgate relative to the vehicle body which position, upon initial installation, is a nominal center position of the tailgate in the opening. If transverse adjustment of the tailgate is required to obtain a true center position the striker is engaged on flats 90 and threaded into or out of the plate member 92 thereby bodily shifting the tailgate transversely of the vehicle body to desired center position whereupon the striker is held stationary while the washer-nut 94 is threaded thereon into locking position, FIG. 8, wherein the side panel 36 is tightly clamped between the plate member 92 and the washer-nut 94.

Before removal of the external fixture means supporting the tailgate, a plurality of adjustable connections in the tailgate support arrangement, not shown, on the vehicle body are made rigid. The support arrangement is then operable to support the tailgate on the vehicle body without the fixture means for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement between the adjusted raised position and the lowered position. Inherently, however, the closure support arrangement permits some looseness or limited longitudinal movement of the tailgate transversely of the vehicle body which looseness, unless controlled, could give rise to undesirable vibrations of the tailgate during operation of the vehicle. The looseness is controlled by the dovetail arrangement through engagement between the wedge member, the retainer and support, and the striker.

More particularly, with reference to FIGS. 2 through 6, as the tailgate 32, moving upwardly from the lowered or open position, approaches the raised position the shank 88 of the striker 82 enters the lower end of slot 45 in cover 44. The slot 45 centers the shank 88 relative to retainer and support 96 so that the shank 88 enters the vertical slot defined by intumed flanges I06. Simultaneously, the enlarged head of the striker 82 enters the retainer and support 96 behind intumed flanges 106, FIG. 6, and the enlarged head, on the taper thereof, engages the wedge member or dovetail on the oblique surface 111 thereof, FIG. 5.

As seen best in FIGS. 4 and 5, the relatively stiff compression spring 112 initially resists the tendency of the wedge member or dovetail 110 to move upward under the urging of the upwardly moving tapered head of the striker. The striker head, therefore, slides relative to the wedge member or dovetail along the oblique surface 111, thus simultaneously moving vertically and transversely of the vehicle body until diametrically opposed portions of annular bearing surface 86 engage the back sides of intumed flanges 106. The tapered head portion is then in a wedged position tightly captured between the wedge member or dovetail and the inturned flanges 106 of the fixed retainer and support. Continued upward movement of the striker 82 to a position generally adjacent the top of slot 45 corresponding to the fully raised position of the tailgate effects only vertical sliding movement of the striker head along flanges 106 and corresponding upward bodily shiftable movement of the wedge member or dovetail l 10 from the retracted position to the extended position, FIG. 5, against the action of compression spring 1 12. With the head of the striker 82 being thus tightly wedged between the inturned flanges 106 and the wedge member or dovetail 110, virtually all longitudinal movement of the striker 82 transversely of the vehicle body is prevented and hence longitudinal vibration or looseness of the tailgate 32 transversely of the vehicle body is effectively eliminated.

In the embodiment shown and described, means are provided in the form of latch bolt 54 and detent lever 66 for releasably maintaining the tailgate 32 in the raised position. It will, however, be apparent to those skilled in the art that the cooperation of the retainer and support 96 and wedge member or dovetail 110 with the striker 82 is independent of the means employed to retain the tailgate 32 in the raised position. Alternatively, power actuated means might be provided in the closure support arrangement and might include a worm drive arrangement which, due to the inherent characteristic of worm drives, is necessarily self locking when deactivated. In such an arrangement, the worm drive functions upon activation and through appropriate linkage to move the tailgate 32 to the raised position and upon deactivation becomes self locking to maintain the tailgate in the raised position while the striker, the retainer and support and the wedge member or dovetail function as described hereinbefore to eliminate the aforementioned longitudinal vibrations of the tailgate.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the open position of the tailgate the latch bolt 54 normally assumes the unlatched position, FIG. 2, so that the shank 88 of the striker enters the throat 56 of the latch bolt subsequent to entry into slot 45 in cover 44 during raising movement of the tailgate. As the shank 88 moves upwardly with the tailgate 32 the latch bolt is rotated counterclockwise from the unlatched position through an intermediate position, not shown, wherein detent 68 underlies detent shoulder 58, to the fully latched position, FIGS. 3 and 7, wherein the detent 68 underlies detent shoulder 60 on the latch bolt. The latch bolt 54 in the fully latched position thereof prevents downward movement of the striker and thus retains the tailgate 32 in the raised position.

To unlatch the closure for downward movement, an external release 116 is provided on quarter panel structure 16 adjacent jamb 15. The external release is positively connected to the detent lever actuating arm 72 by a draft link 118. When release is desired, the external release is actuated to bodily shift the draft link 118 downward thereby to initiate clockwise rotation of the detent lever 66 from the detenting position, FIGS. 5 and 7, to the releasing position, FIG. 4.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and a closure mounted thereon for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement between an open position below said opening and a closed position closing a portion of said opening, the improvement comprising, an elongated striker having a shank with an enlarged head defining a first surface tapered longitudinally of said striker and a second annular surface perpendicular to said shank, means rigidly mounting said striker on one of said closure and said vehicle body with said first tapered surface being oblique to a longitudinal axis of said closure panel, a retainer, means rigidly mounting said retainer on the other of said closure and said vehicle body in juxtaposition to said second annular surface on said striker in said closed position of said closure, a wedge member having an oblique surface complementary to said first tapered surface on said striker, means mounting said wedge member on said other of said closure and said vehicle body for generally vertical movement between a retracted position and an extended position, and means resiliently urging said wedge member toward said retracted position, said oblique surface on said wedge member being engageable on said first tapered surface of said striker in response to bodily shiftable movement of said closure toward said closed position to exert on said tapered surface a rigidifying force directed longitudinally of said closure urging said second annular surface of said striker into engagement with said retainer so that said striker is tightly captured between said retainer and said wedge member and relative movement between said closure and said vehicle body longitudinally of the former is prevented, said wedge member thereafter being vertically moveable as a unit with said striker from said retracted to said extended position in said closed position of said closure.

2. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and a closure supported thereon for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement between an open position below said opening and a closed position closing a portion of said opening, the combination comprising, a striker having a cylindrical shank portion and an enlarged conical head portion disposed at one end of and integral with said shank portion, said enlarged head defining an annular surface around said shank portion, means mounting said striker on one of said closure and said vehicle body in alignment with a longitudinal axis of said closure and for bodily movement along said longitudinal axis, means associated with said striker for rigidly maintaining said striker in a selected position relative to said one of said closure and said vehicle body, a retainer, means rigidly mounting said retainer on the other of said closure and said vehicle body in juxtaposition to said annular surface on said striker in said closed position of said closure, wedge member having an oblique surface complementary to the surface of said conical head portion on said striker, means mounting said wedge member on said other of said closure and said vehicle body for generally vertical movement between a retracted position and an extended position, and means resiliently urging said wedge member toward said retracted position, said oblique surface on said wedge member being engageable on the surface of said conical head portion of said striker in response to bodily shiftable movement of said closure toward said closed position to exert on said head portion a rigidifying force directed longitudinally of said closure urging said annular surface of said striker into engagement with said retainer so that said striker is tightly captured between said retainer and said wedge member and relative movement between said closure and said vehicle body longitudinally of the former is prevented, said wedge member thereafter being vertically movable as a unit with said striker from said retracted to said extended position in said closed position of said closure.

3. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and a closure supported thereon for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement between an open position below said opening and a closed position closing a portion of said opening, the combination comprising, a striker having a cylindrical shank portion and an enlarged conical head portion disposed at one end of and integral with said shank portion, said enlarged head defining an annular surface around said shank portion, means mounting said striker on one of said closure and said vehicle body in alignment with a longitudinal axis of said closure and for bodily movement along said longitudinal axis, means associated with said striker for rigidly maintaining said striker in a selected position relative to said one of said closure and said vehicle body, a retainer housing open at one end and having a slot formed in one side thereof and extending from said one end, means rigidly supporting said housing on the other of said closure and said vehicle body with said housing opening downwardly and said slot disposed generallalvertically sothat movement of said closure from the open to e closed position effects movement of said striker shank portion into said slot thereby to locate said striker head portion within said housing with said annular surface juxtaposed said one side of said housing, a wedge member having an oblique surface complementary to the surface of said conical head portion on said striker, means mounting said wedge member on said housing for generally vertical movement between a retracted position and an extended position, and means resiliently urging said wedge member toward said retracted position, said oblique surface on said wedge member being engageable on the surface of said conical head portion of said striker in response to bodily shiftable movement of said closure toward said closed position to exert on said head portion a rigidifying force directed longitudinally of said closure urging said annular surface of said striker into engagement with said one side of said housing so that said striker is tightly captured between said one side of said housing and said wedge member and relative movement between said closure and said vehicle body longitudinally of the former is prevented, said wedge member thereafter being vertically movable as a unit with said striker from said retracted to said extended position in said closed position of said closure.

ii i l i i 

1. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and a closure mounted thereon for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement between an open position below said opening and a closed position closing a portion of said opening, the improvement comprising, an elongated striker having a shank with an enlarged head defining a first surface tapered longitudinally of said striker and a second annular surface perpendicular to said shank, means rigidly mounting said striker on one of said closure and said vehicle body with said first tapered surface being oblique to a longitudinal axis of said closure panel, a retainer, means rigidly mounting said retainer on the other of said closure and said vehicle body in juxtaposition to said second annular surface on said striker in said closed position of said closure, a wedge member having an oblique surface complementary to said first tapered surface on said striker, means mounting said wedge member on said other of said closure and said vehicle body for generally vertical movement between a retracted position and an extended position, and means resiliently urging said wedge member toward said retracted position, said oblique surface on said wedge member being engageable on said first tapered surface of said striker in response to bodily shiftable movement of said closure toward said closed position to exert on said tapered surface a rigidifying force directed longitudinally of said closure urging said second annular surface of said striker into engagement with said retainer so that said striker is tightly captured between said retainer and said wedge member and relative movement between said closure and said vehicle body longitudinally of the former is prevented, said wedge member thereafter being vertically moveable as a unit with said striker from said retracted to said extended position in said closed position of said closure.
 2. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and a closure supported thereon for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement between an open position below said opening and a closed position closing a portion of said opening, the combination comprising, a striker having a cylindrical shank portion and an enlarged conical head portion disposed at one end of and integral with Said shank portion, said enlarged head defining an annular surface around said shank portion, means mounting said striker on one of said closure and said vehicle body in alignment with a longitudinal axis of said closure and for bodily movement along said longitudinal axis, means associated with said striker for rigidly maintaining said striker in a selected position relative to said one of said closure and said vehicle body, a retainer, means rigidly mounting said retainer on the other of said closure and said vehicle body in juxtaposition to said annular surface on said striker in said closed position of said closure, wedge member having an oblique surface complementary to the surface of said conical head portion on said striker, means mounting said wedge member on said other of said closure and said vehicle body for generally vertical movement between a retracted position and an extended position, and means resiliently urging said wedge member toward said retracted position, said oblique surface on said wedge member being engageable on the surface of said conical head portion of said striker in response to bodily shiftable movement of said closure toward said closed position to exert on said head portion a rigidifying force directed longitudinally of said closure urging said annular surface of said striker into engagement with said retainer so that said striker is tightly captured between said retainer and said wedge member and relative movement between said closure and said vehicle body longitudinally of the former is prevented, said wedge member thereafter being vertically movable as a unit with said striker from said retracted to said extended position in said closed position of said closure.
 3. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and a closure supported thereon for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement between an open position below said opening and a closed position closing a portion of said opening, the combination comprising, a striker having a cylindrical shank portion and an enlarged conical head portion disposed at one end of and integral with said shank portion, said enlarged head defining an annular surface around said shank portion, means mounting said striker on one of said closure and said vehicle body in alignment with a longitudinal axis of said closure and for bodily movement along said longitudinal axis, means associated with said striker for rigidly maintaining said striker in a selected position relative to said one of said closure and said vehicle body, a retainer housing open at one end and having a slot formed in one side thereof and extending from said one end, means rigidly supporting said housing on the other of said closure and said vehicle body with said housing opening downwardly and said slot disposed generally vertically so that movement of said closure from the open to the closed position effects movement of said striker shank portion into said slot thereby to locate said striker head portion within said housing with said annular surface juxtaposed said one side of said housing, a wedge member having an oblique surface complementary to the surface of said conical head portion on said striker, means mounting said wedge member on said housing for generally vertical movement between a retracted position and an extended position, and means resiliently urging said wedge member toward said retracted position, said oblique surface on said wedge member being engageable on the surface of said conical head portion of said striker in response to bodily shiftable movement of said closure toward said closed position to exert on said head portion a rigidifying force directed longitudinally of said closure urging said annular surface of said striker into engagement with said one side of said housing so that said striker is tightly captured between said one side of said housing and said wedge member and relative movement between said closure and said vehicle body longitudinally of the former is prevented, said wedge member thereafter being vertIcally movable as a unit with said striker from said retracted to said extended position in said closed position of said closure. 